NCAA Football Oregon Ducks

5 Players Who Must Step Up For Oregon In College Football Playoff National Championship

5 Players Who Must Step Up For Oregon In College Football Playoff National Championship

Oregon Ducks
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After dismantling the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles in the Rose Bowl, the Oregon Ducks will be looking for their first-ever national title against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Oregon is 0-8 all-time against Ohio State and will need to reverse that trend to become national champions. Here are five key players for Oregon in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 12.

5. Defensive Back Erick Dargan

Erick Dargan Oregon
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

5. Defensive Back Erick Dargan

Erick Dargan Oregon
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Dargan has been everywhere for the Ducks and will need one last strong showing to help slow down the explosive Ohio State offense. Dargan leads the Ducks with 90 tackles and seven interceptions, while also forcing two fumbles. Dargan will be tasked with containing Ohio State’s playmakers on the outside, who will be looking to take deep shots against the Oregon secondary.

4. Outside Linebacker Tony Washington

Tony Washington Oregon
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Outside Linebacker Tony Washington

Tony Washington Oregon
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Washington is a key pass rusher for the Ducks, and the redshirt senior will be counted upon to wreak havoc on quarterback Cardale Jones. Washington has been stellar this season with 53 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He capped it all off with a 58-yard scoop-and-score in the third quarter to put an exclamation point on the Ducks’ Rose Bowl victory.

3. Defensive Lineman DeForest Buckner

DeForest Buckner Oregon
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. Defensive Lineman DeForest Buckner

DeForest Buckner Oregon
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Buckner will be called upon to anchor the Ducks' defensive line and hold the point of attack against Ezekiel Elliott and the Ohio State running game. Buckner is a force in the middle with 72 tackles and a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss this season. If Elliott is able to run wild as he was in the Sugar Bowl, it will be a long night for the Ducks, who won’t be leaving Arlington with the national title.

2. Running Back Royce Freeman

Royce Freeman Oregon
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. Running Back Royce Freeman

Royce Freeman Oregon
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Freeman has been a freshman sensation for the Ducks and will need to have a bigger impact against the Buckeyes if they want to win the national title game. Freeman was held in check by the Seminoles as he rushed 12 times for a modest 44 yards after racking up 1,299 yards on the ground during the regular season. The Buckeyes are susceptible on the ground, and Oregon will need Freeman to complement the Ducks' high-powered passing attack.

1. Quarterback Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota Oregon
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quarterback Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota Oregon
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mariota is the key to the Oregon attack, and the reigning Heisman trophy winner needs to be at his best against Ohio State to cement his legacy in Eugene. Mariota was lethal against Florida State in the Rose Bowl, cutting through the Seminoles' defense to the tune of 400 total yards and three touchdowns. He will need to light up the scoreboard for the Ducks one last time as this game figures to be a shootout.

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